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Add the Cleantech Lexicon to your toolbox!

02 Feb

Your portable dictionary of cleantech, green and sustainability terminology.

The Lexicon was designed to enhance the public’s understanding of the concepts and jargon that shape the worlds of cleantech, renewable energy, sustainability, climate change, and all related areas.

The goal is to build this into a robust repository of information and resources.

If you would like to be a Cleantech Lexicon contributor or think of terms to add,
email info@b-green-scene.com

Cleantech Lexicon is a project of AndaCommunications and Behind the Green Scene.

 

 
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Posted in Articles

 

Greenhouse Gas

07 Jul

Greenhouse gases, often abbreviated as GHG, are gases produced from human activities that trap solar radiation and thus contribute to climate change and the destruction of the ozone layer. Greenhouse gases include, but are not limited to: water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), ozone, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

 
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Posted in Climate Change, Global Warming, Measurements

 

Triple Bottom Line

12 Apr

Whether you subscribe to the Three P’s of People, Planet and Profit or the The E’s of Economy, Environment and Equity, the Triple Bottom Line is an approach to business where instead of viewing economic gain, environmental prosperity and social justice as conflicting concepts, all three are seen as important considerations in smart decision making.

 
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Posted in Standards, Sustainability

 

Brightfields

28 Mar

Brightfields are the result of the conversion and redevelopment of contaminated brownfield sites into land used specifically for renewable energy generation, incorporating green technology and sustainable development.

According to the EPA,

Brightfields is a revolutionary concept that addresses three of the nation’s biggest challenges — urban revitalization, toxic waste cleanup, and climate change — by bringing pollution-free solar energy and high-tech solar manufacturing jobs to brownfields.

 
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Posted in Brownfield, Energy, Green technology

 

Earth Hour

26 Mar

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change.

Earth Hour - Logo

All around the world, people are taking action and showing their support by:

  1. Turning the lights off at 8.30PM on March 26, 2011
  2. Taking Earth Hour beyond the Hour by taking even more
  3. Sharing the event to friends, family and co-workers
  4. Encouraging local businesses, governments and communities to participate

 

 

 
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Posted in Climate Change

 

Brownfield Site

26 Mar

Brownfields are unused or abandoned commercial and industrial properties that are suspected of or known to be contaminated with hazardous materials and / toxins. Through remediation and redevelopment, these properties can help to revitalize a neighborhood or even a city.

The EPA defines brownfields as:

Real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties protects the environment, reduces blight, and takes development pressures off greenspaces and working lands.

Brownfield News and Information

Slideshow: From Brownfields to Hot Oakland Properties
Bay Area’s economic comeback may suffer from EPA budget cuts

 
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Posted in Brownfield, Sustainability

 

CALGreen

26 Mar

The CALGreen building code, more formally known as the California Green Building Standards Code, is the nation’s first mandatory statewide set of standards for green construction, with the objective of reducing the impact of climate change. The standard went into effect in the state of California on January 1, 2011.

California Green Building Standards Code

California Green Building Standards Code

The purpose of the code as defined is:

…to improve publichealth, safety and general welfare by enhancing the design andconstruction of buildings through the use of building conceptshaving a reduced negative impact or positive environmental impact and encouraging sustainable construction practices inthe following categories:

1. Planning and design
2. Energy efficiency
3. Water efficiency and conservation
4. Material conservation and resource efficiency
5. Environmental quality

 

 
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Posted in Featured, Green Building, Standards

 

Green Building

26 Mar

According to the EPA

Green building is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction. This practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort. Green building is also known as a sustainable or high performance building.

 
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Posted in Green Building, LEED, Standards

 

Remediation

26 Mar

Remediation is the process of through which a brownfield site is inspected for contamination, and where the contamination found is properly ‘addressed’ through such actions including removal — with the purpose of eliminating the exposure.

 
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Posted in Brownfield, Green Building, Standards

 

Food Security

22 Mar

The concept of food security is one the World Health Organization defines as:

when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.

Food security is further defined by the “three pillars” of: food availability, food access and food use.

Beyond the issues of hunger and nutrition, food security is also an environmental and sustainable development issue. Availability, access and use of food can be impacted by choices such as diversion of land and crop use for fuel, and the effects of deforestation, seawater rise and, water and soil contamination.

 
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Posted in Food Security, Sustainability

 

Fuel Cells

13 Feb

Fuel cells are electrochemical systems that transform the chemical energy of the oxidation process directly into electrical energy.

 
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Posted in Energy

 
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